I’ve been thinking lately about how we return to things.
Not out of nostalgia, but because the timing is finally right.

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For example, I’ve recently returned to studying French. Not due to a big life change, but because I was ready to circle back.

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I started in 4th grade, continued through high school, and a year in college. Then it went dormant. Years later, there was a burst of intense study, and I even spent a month in France learning and living with a French family. But life moved on, and the habit faded again.

Now, as I tap through a French app or get absorbed in a French podcast, I’m struck by something. The words aren’t new. I’m not starting from scratch.

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I’m picking up where I left off, on a spiral with better tools, more context, and a different lens.

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Solo businesses are like this, too. We chase new ideas. We build things halfway. We experiment, pause, and pivot.

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But a lot of your best work isn’t lost. It’s just undercooked.

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Maybe it wasn’t the right time, or you lacked the tools or space to grow into it.

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Before building your next big thing, take a minute to open your equivalent of an old language notebook. It may be:

• A digital folder of slide decks
• A Notion page with draft ideas
• An old domain or landing page you started

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Don’t ask: What else should I make?
Ask instead: What if I need something I started long ago?

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You may find you’re not starting over. You’re finally ready to finish.

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Pro Tip: If you use Notion or Google Drive, set a recurring calendar reminder every 3–6 months to revisit an “idea archive” folder. You’ll be surprised at what still holds up.

21st century pen pals

I’m not sure how many readers remember pen pals. (Am I dating myself as part of the Paleolithic era? 🙂) They were individuals you exchanged letters with regularly, often in countries where you wished to learn (or improve) your language skills.
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The language exchange app, Tandem, is the modern digital version. You sign up to find a match with someone who shares your interests and language learning goals. I’ve been exchanging texts with Charles, a native of Paris who now lives in Quebec City and teaches at the university.

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We text each other in the language we’re studying, and then correct each other’s mistakes in our native language. It’s fun, low-key, and I’m learning a lot. We hope to have a live online chat soon.

Get a visual map of your business​
If you want to make sense of your solo business’ many moving parts, the Solo Business Canvas can help.

It’s a free visual tool I created to give you a bird’s-eye view of what matters most, all on a single page. It covers the essential building blocks of a strong one-person business in 14 boxes, and includes a full tutorial.

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It’s designed for solopreneurs, with space to map your audience, offers, presence, and supporting ecosystem.

In 20 minutes, take a snapshot of your current situation and gain a clear sense of next steps.

Google’s Nano Banana
It’s a silly name, but Google’s newest AI image generator is impressive. You can transform a single photo into multiple images or upload several photos to blend them into one scene. Three friends at different locations for an event? No problem. Just generate a new image that shows you all together.

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Or, remix your photos by transferring style, color, or texture from one object to another. Let your imagination run wild: turn that photo of you in a leather coat into one made of parrot feathers.

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Joshua Clear of AI Weekly has created this informative Ultimate Nano Banana Guide to get you started.

Until next week, here's to circling back to finish what was worth starting.

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Stay small. Play big.

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Terri

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P.S. When you’re ready for more, here are a few resources from the Solo Business School:

• Browse the Resource Hub for tools I recommend
• Explore Content Velocity, my course on creating quality content with AI support
• If you’re a woman solopreneur, join us for free weekly Coworking Sessions​

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Want to send a question or comment? Please do — I read (and respond to) my email.

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Authority By Design is a registered trademark, and Content Velocity and Working Solo are trademarks, of Make International LLC. Issue #000.